The global outbreak of the monkeypox virus is believed to be the core reason why monkeys are being killed by humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) is advising people that they should not harm monkeys because they fear contracting the monkeypox virus. The concern of humans targeting monkeys out of fear comes after reports state that monkeys are currently being killed in sections of South America amid the global increase in monkeypox cases.
Following multiple occurrences where monkeys have been poisoned and killed in Brazil, @NBCNEWS reported that WHO is anxiously warning people that they should not kill monkeys while reminding individuals that monkeypox, despite the name, is not caused by actual monkeys.
At least ten monkeys recently had to be rescued in Brazil after displaying signs of intentional harm and intoxication. However, seven of those ten monkeys died.
“What people need to know is that the transmission we are seeing is happening between humans,” Dr Margaret Harris, a representative of WHO, said. Harris added that people should be trying to determine where the virus is spreading in the “human population.”
A wildlife tracking expert also reported that monkeys are being harmed in several locations outside of Brazil, and these incidents include stoning, persecution, and poisoning of monkeys.
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